Turn real objects into Minecraft blocks with DekkoScan iOS app

Jul.15, 2013

Portemantho of a small San Francisco-based studio Dekko built an app for iOS (iPhone & iPad) that lets you scan real-life objects and brings them to Minecraft. The app is currently pending App store approval now.

The app is called DekkoScan, and it uses the same 3D reconstruction technology developed in its augmented-reality racing game Tabletop Speed earlier this year. "We thought it'd be cool to use that to export to other things, like Minecraft. " said Portemantho.

The app uses an iPhone or iPad's camera to scan a 3D object, and then "cubifies" it, rendering it a creation in Minecraft. Each image is recreated using existing Minecraft blocks to allow others to recreate it. When a scan is complete, users can tap "Generate" to export it into their save game folder or the MCEdit world editor.

However the app is only capable of scanning small items. According to portemantho, its scans are limited to a resolution of 128 x 128. ""The size of the objects is limited by the (low) memory of iOS, and the tech is pretty intensive.""The app is designed to work decently with the slowest device it supports (A5 chip, so iPad2/mini and iPhone4S)." Portemantho also said the materials in game are only the 16 shades of wool, but that can easily be changed with a future update.

Here's a very brief demo of the app:

DekkoScan is still awaiting approval at the App store so it shouldn't be long before the app being available for download. If the app is successful, the company will then bring an Android version to the market.